₦airaland Forum

Eartquake1:
It's ironic because you were actually crying

Eartquake1:
Are you going to do this for Tomori and Saka and others?

elyte89:
Seems deres a motive by dis deliberate moves

Na d 9ja player shld just wise up,awever Tammy would av a gud career with England dan tomori,my feelings

MetalJigsaw:
Abraham, Tomori: Reaping where we did not sow? BACK PAGE COLUMN
Published 9 hours ago on October 9, 2019
By Bola Bolawole 



huge tragedy befell Nigerian soccer lovers last week when Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori, two promising Chelsea footballers, pledged their allegiance to England instead of Nigeria. It did not come as a surprise, though, because the youngsters had hesitated to accept offers to play for Nigeria and had patiently waited to see if England would come for them. With their present form for Chelsea, they had been hopeful that would be the case. Now they have been called up to the Three Lions’ senior team, they have happily obliged, ditching the Super Eagles in the process. Our only claim to the boys is that their parent(s) were Nigerians; nothing more! England, on the other hand, has a robust claim, the boys having been born/lived virtually their life abroad as well as having played for England at youth levels. They had also been products of the youth academy of foreign lands, something that is absent here, despite that we have heard of the importance of youth academies to the growth of football worldwide and despite that we, too, have parroted the need to toe a similarly line. As is characteristic of us not only in sports but also in other spheres of life, we seldom walk the talk.

Now we are left to whine and bellyache after suffering a disappointment only the most optimistic had failed to see coming our way. Now we comfort ourselves with such statements as “No one is greater than Nigeria”; “We cannot beg anyone to play for Nigeria”; “Nigeria has better players…” Sentiments! And I laugh! Had the boys pledged their loyalty to Nigeria, we would have been grinning from ear to ear. Had that happened, I would not have been surprised if any of Lai Mohammed, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu had issued a press statement congratulating the boys and soccer-loving Nigerians and claiming it as one of the “achievements” of APC/Buhari! Let’s stop bad-mouthing the boys; instead, we should wish them well in the choice they have made – and learn useful lessons to stem the tide of our sportspeople ditching us for other lands. It has happened again and again.

Remember sprinter Obikwelu? He ditched us for Spain and won an Olympic silver medal competing for his adopted country. The list is endless. Every now and then the media throws up new names of Nigerians switching nationality in sports. Why? Better facilities elsewhere to enhance their development. So, athletes that would have struggled here suddenly take advantage of such world-class facilities to horn their talents and skills and become world beaters. Better incentives from their adopted countries, unlike here where they beg and beg to no avail for peanuts to enhance mediocre preparations for events. Better technical know-how and expertise from coaching staff, which makes a world of difference as technology has taken over from raw talents in today’s world of sports. Better professionalism and commitment to duty by coaching staff, unlike here where everything is always reduced to politics and sentiments. Better commitment to training schedule unlike here where fire-brigade approach is the order of the day.

So, it is not that athletes elsewhere are better than ours but for the advantages stated above, which they enjoy abroad but which their counterparts who pledge their future to Nigeria lack. It is instructive that most of the athletes doing this country proud at the moment are foreign-based, be they footballers or athletes. Gone were the days when we produced world-class home-based sportsmen and women. Now, we struggle over those made ready by foreign systems. We failed to meet even our own expectations at the just-concluded World Athletics meet at Doha for reasons itemised above. Administrative lapses and incompetence; and disunity among the rank-and-file also reared their ugly heads at Doha, reducing the fabled giant of Africa to a minnow while Kenya, as always, made the continent proud, coming second behind almighty USA.

Abraham and Tomori are just two out of millions of young Nigerians who, any day, will choose other countries ahead of Nigeria. Even adults are voting with their feet every day in search of greener pastures! According to latest statistics, three million Nigerians were added to the circle of the desperately poor within the last six months, further cementing our pole position as the poverty capital of the world. So, it is unimaginable to expect that those who stand at an advantage, being citizens of “better” countries, so to say, would choose Nigeria over and above such countries. Let’s work to make our own country a good place and not a shithole, as President Donald Trump has described it. A lot of happenings in the country, especially Executive lawlessness and blood-letting run riot, give us bad image. Our leaders do not inspire confidence. And we often want to reap where we had not sown. Rather than run after ready-made stars, let us take interest in these boys – and girls – while they are still fledgling. Be a part of their success story and not just an opportunist. Rather than cry over spilled milk, there are many more Abraham and Tomori out there waiting for our proactive action.

Apart from the fact that we didn’t sow into the lads, how can we expect them to go against their gaffe, Frank Lampard, who, himself, had been skipper of the English team? Naturally, Lampard would want the lads to play for England and strengthen the team. It also makes his Chelsea management duties easier for him. Many a times, footballers go to represent their country and come back injured and the burden becomes that of their foreign team and its management. Our athletes have complained ad nauseam of being left to the elements when they most expected the country and our sports administrators to rally round them. It would have been suicidal for the boys to go against the “advice” of their gaffe. For one, after God, the coach had been instrumental to their meteoric rise in the pecking order at Chelsea and from what we have seen about players in the big leagues, coaches make or mar. They make or ruin the career of players. Many a good player had gone against the coach’s advice only to find themselves shoved aside – and that had been it!
So, head or tail, it made sense for the lads to listen to their coach. It makes sense for them to pick English over Nigeria. For the sake of their career at club and country level, I dare to say that they have made the right choice – at least, as far as human wisdom can carry us. The other side of the coin, however, is that more often than not, such players usually are not more than fringe players for their adopted countries. Conversely, those who choose their home country may have more playing time, especially in a Nigerian team that relies on big names and foreign talents than a foreign team where racism and knack for form are still potent factors. Mitchel Obi was almost a tourist at the last African Cup of Nations! Even if England drops our lads after just one game, it has effectively denied us their use forever! Weakening a likely opposition is also part of the game!

Two more points must, however, be made. One: That the boys could make more money playing for England than playing for Nigeria. Who can easily discountenance the primacy of money in human affairs! Two: Team mates sabotaging the best efforts of high-riding colleagues in the Nigerian team had been rife in the past. Hear one of such foreign stars: “It was most unfortunate because I noticed that most of the players, when they asked me to go to the right, I will go there but the ball will go to the left and if they asked me to go to the left, the ball will go to the right.” Which true professional will hear this and still want to play in such a national team? Wasn’t that how Rashidi Yekini was reportedly made a pariah by his team mates after he was said to have “selfishly” celebrated his – and Nigeria’s – first World Cup goal at USA ’94?
More professionalism in our sports will encourage more of our foreign talents to vote Nigeria.

safarigirl:
There are athletes that bear their mother's last names though, like Naomi Osaka. Even Troost-Ekong

TheSuperNerd:
But when we called up Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen after their U-17 exploits just as a way of fast-tracking them, you heard the nonsense cries didn't you? Why must the foreign borns be given this special treatment you suggest without anyone willing to cry out while we cry out when trying to encourage our special underage talents who shone at the age grades? Osimhen's call was bashed and condemned left, right and center when Rohr called him up just to begin integration of the lad because he saw he was special. Now we are reaping the benefits.

If Osimhen was foreign born, would his call have been bashed? And if as a foreign born, playing so well for Lille now, what would be the story today? That we should have capped him then, but now we have to contend with England or France for his allegiance. Thanks goodness that is not the case.




Look Sir Royalty. Nigeria have been approaching some of these lads and many of them are non-committal.
These lads should stop making it seem like it is the countries making the decisions for them. It is also their decisions and their lives. Let those that want to play for England or Nigeria or whatever country declare it from the onset and stick to it and not wait till their careers probably hit the heights of Pele where they now start singing the tune of England calling them up first.


Are you saying that Nigeria is not deserving of a player doing well in Manchester Utd or Manchester City or Arsenal or Chelsea? So na only QPR players we want abi? Only West Brom or Rotherham players are good enough for the Super Eagles and would choose the Super Eagles.

If that is the case, then we don't want such snake-like personalities near our GWG. Players who would only choose Nigeria if they are only at a not-so-high level career wise.
My question to them is this... Would they maintain same choice if they are getting the business done at a high level and making the headlines?


I think we should sort out where their allegiance lie from the onset first of all and stop giving ourselves more opportunities to get slapped in the face as seen in the case of Tomori and Abraham.
See Tosin Adarabioyo now... Famzing the GWG jersey and trying to get Nigeria's attention with his funny antics. Would he be doing so if he was still balling at Man City??

We need the really committed ones. Most of them are just considering us only because their careers aren't so great and they feel the Super Eagles is the place to be when you are at Ipswich town while England is the place to be when at Chelsea.

Is Nigeria not worthy of a Chelsea player? That is what we should address abeg and not inviting every dick and harry.

andrew444:
Not barcelona, simple and clear

Is kante even close to Arturo vidal? Hello No

Case closed

Truidstar:
The Otabor fella, was on the standby list that was unreleased by the NFF. I don't understand what all the hue and cry is all about. Like I stated before, Rohr will start with his best team and make few substitutions against Brazil, especially when the game is going well for us. Some folks preferred players would not even lace their boots on that day.

Earthquake1:
Will you shut up what is your criteria for player selection?

Just because a player on secondary list is invited because of an injury you are talking nonsense

komekn:
Mine is very simple.

Outstanding consistent top class performances in league and club.

Viv Solomon-Otabor was anonymous in general everywhere he has played in England. He is not better than a multitude of players across Europe.

Humility017:
I will not be happy with you...if your son happens to be a footballer and he later choose to play for England.

please take him home sometimes....
tell him stories about our culture and the peculiar nature of Nigeria set ups
and make him watch Nigeria football matches.....

safarigirl:
how many village meetings do you take your kids to


For instance, if someone like me marries an abroadian, the way I will soak that child in Banga soup and Egusi, your Nigerian accent will be popping from the abroad sef

OMANBALA1:
I really don't know why you guys keep dragging these crappy English players...[/b].I dont rate English players, not even the ones born in Nigeria(Iwobi) and raised in England....they are all crappy[b]. If it wasn't for the wickedness of a black man no way England can contend with us...no way. Sports/athleticism-wise they are inferiors! Africans are just wicked and shortsighted that's why we are buried in pains and suffering....take a look at our league...smh

charlesemeka85:
I knew when Newcastle were interested in signing ojo but Liverpool declined the offer which I believe both parties are regretting now.

It's only those who know little about the Scottish league will look down on the likes of rangers, Celtic and even Aberdeen. These are traditional British clubs with rich history and followership.

Great players have emerged from the Scottish league and moved on to bigger leagues and clubs.

Swedish great Larson moved to almighty barca from Celtic, dembele few seasons ago joined lyon from the same Celtic, nakamura is is rated as one of the best ever to emerge from the Asian continent and also one of the best free kick takers I have ever seen made a name in European competitions in the colors of Celtic, petrov moved from Celtic to Aston Villa which was a strong side then in the epl, van djke who is rated as the best cb in the world currently moved from Celtic to the epl just to mention a few.

Then when rangers and Celtic were steady performers in the UCL there were hard nut to crack for EPL teams in the competition especially fergie's man utd.

The Scottish league is poor but that doesn't rub off the pedegree rangers, Aberdeen and Celtic have in European football.

simiife:
U re looking 4 trouble abi

MetalJigsaw:
He’s Magical With The Ball At His Feet – Santi Cazorla Hails Samuel Chukwueze


Villarreal captain Santi Cazorla says Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze can produce moment of magic with the ball at his feet after his goal in their 5-1 win over Real Betis in the Laliga.

Chukwueze was introduced as a second half substitute and the 20 year old made an instant impact by winning the penalty which put them 2-1 up before having a hand in the two other goals that took scores to 4-1.

He topped his sterling substitute display with a goal of his own late into the game with a strong solo run which he started from few metres away from the centre circle and expectedly it has earned him praises from Cazorla.

” We have to wait for our chance to strike and we took the chances when they came. Chukwueze played a role after his introduction. He’s magical with the ball at his feet, the plan is for him to continue progressing for the good of the team”, Cazorla said in an interview monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com.

OMANBALA1:
Neither do I have qualms with Rohr inviting Azeez, if he continue to do well. However, I strongly disagree with those who are trying to use Azeez recent form to berate Azubike. Zuby might not be in the best of form ,but first he is still the U23 captain and in the last game he carried the whole team on his shoulders. He will also lead them to the Olympics and make history and people will eat the humble pie.

And honestly, [/b]I will take an inform Zuby over Ndidi[b] , Etebor, Azeez and the rest....I have seen Zuby play and he is the most equipped of all the DM we currently parade. This is true if we can be honest to ourselves...My prayer is may God lift the boy .

Azubike and Nwakali will still come alive...w

charlesemeka85:
Una really get time dey worry una head for our local clubs and Chan team.

I have said this before that our best players in the local scene re in academies and grassroots clubs.

Since I noticed the above claim I no dey care about our league anymore cus it's full of capenters which is the reason 90% of them fail trials in obscure leagues in Europe.

komekn:
A lot of Nigerian football fans indeed suffer from amnesia.

All the exploits of his 35 caps and dont forget the highest goal scorer in the just concluded AFCON.

Your diction is disrespectful, disdainful and makes it seems we football fans are shameless ingrates.

No wonder he retired he had enough of the HATE and RANCOROUS RHETORIC that was thrown at his person by our so called fans.

Well done.